Sabeel Prayer Wave September 4, 2014

TheWave of Prayer: This prayer ministry enables local and international friends of Sabeel to pray over regional concerns on a weekly basis. Sent to Sabeel’s network of supporters, the prayer is used in services around the world and during Sabeel’s Thursday Communion service; as each community in its respective time zone lifts these concerns in prayer at noon every Thursday, this “wave of prayer” washes over the world.

Sabeel Wave of Prayer September 4, 2014

God of peace, we lift up our gratitude for the cessation of Israeli airstrikes and Hamas rocket fire. In Gaza, people are uncovering the extent of the devastation to this small region where nobody was untouched by tragedy. Some estimate that it could take as many as 20 years to rebuild Gaza. Lord, as food and medical supplies enter through narrow Gaza border openings, we pray that this will be the last time the Gazans have to rebuild. Show your people there a future with freedom and human rights, merciful God, and let your peace and justice prevail. Lord in your mercy…

The Palestinian children in the West Bank and Jerusalem returned to school this week. Lord, give them safe passage as some cross checkpoints or travel near settlements or walk along busy roads. Many children in Gaza will start the school year late. Loving God, provide Gaza with safe school structures and the capacity it desperately needs so that the children there too can return to school and childhood. Lord in your mercy…

Lord, this week Israel announced the biggest plan in several decades to illegally confiscate Palestinian land (nearly 1000 acres/3799 dunams near Bethlehem) and turn it into land belonging to the state of Israel. Israel intends to build a large Jewish settlement there, which jeopardizes the possibly of establishing a Palestinian state. God of wisdom, we pray that the international community acts on this unjust land grab and others so that a permanent political solution can finally make its way to this weary region. Lord in your mercy…

We thank you for the people from organizations who are taking on the important task of counseling some of the traumatized children in Gaza: listening to their stories, providing creative outlets for expression, and offering support to their families to help them start to feel safe again. These social workers and educators are a light in the darkness, nurturing the littlest of your children. Lord in your mercy…

We pray alongside the World Council of Churches for the countries of the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. Lord in your mercy…